Research Focus

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An Overview

The REACH Hub provides targeted funding to support regionally led research projects that address the interconnected challenges of climate change and health.

Our Themes And Priority Areas

Our funding opportunity focuses on advancing research where projects should align with one of two key themes.

Community-based Climate Adaptation Interventions

Climate Resilient Health Systems

Informed by a rigorous and scientific process which includes a regional-wide stakeholder survey, evidence synthesis, expert panel workshop and brief policy review; these priority areas highlight the need for culturally grounded and community-responsive approaches.

Research collaboration Research overlay
Co-production approaches to research are encouraged for both priority areas

Responsive Health and Climate Data Through Community-based Climate Adaptation Interventions

This theme focuses on creating responsive health and climate data systems that empower communities to adapt effectively to climate change. It emphasises co-designing culturally grounded, nature-based interventions that protect vulnerable groups from heat-related risks, while also strengthening community resilience through innovative and inclusive climate communication strategies.

Co-designing culturally appropriate behavioural adaptation interventions and/or nature-based solutions for heat among vulnerable populations
Building disaster-resilient communities through smart and innovative climate communication strategies

Climate Resilient Health Systems in response to climate-induced health risks

This theme centers on building health systems that can anticipate, withstand, and respond to climate-induced health challenges. It focuses on strengthening the resilience of primary care facilities while equipping the healthcare workforce with the knowledge, tools, and inclusive skills needed to deliver climate-smart health services across the region.

Evaluating and strengthening climate resilient primary care facilities in the region
Development of toolkits and interventions to build a skilled, diverse, inclusive and climate literate healthcare workforce

Why This Matters For Everyone

The research themes are also shaped by input from over 90 regional stakeholders, including government, academia, NGOs, and grassroots groups.

Guided by surveys, regional consultations and key policy frameworks like Malaysia’s NCCP 2.0, the findings highlighted urgent health risks, such as extreme heat, air pollution, and climate-sensitive diseases, leading our focus on to locally relevant, evidence-based solutions.

Scope of Work Projects funded under REACH are expected to:
Icon Be participatory, inclusive, and equity-oriented
Icon Demonstrate co-designs with communities, practitioners, or policymakers
Icon Build local capacity for sustained impact
Icon Align with regional and global climate-health frameworks (e.g., WHO’s Operational Framework for Climate-Resilient Health Systems)
Scope of Work Illustration
Call to Action
The climate crisis is already impacting the health and wellbeing of communities in South and Southeast Asia. From intensifying heatwaves to disrupted health services, these challenges demand evidence-based, locally led solutions. By funding context-specific research, Our REACH Hub aims to close knowledge gaps, strengthen systems, and ultimately improve resilience for those most at risk. Hence, our call supports innovative, participatory projects: from heat adaptation behaviors to climate literacy for healthcare workers that drive lasting community and system impact. Call to Action Illustration

Funding Details

24 months

Project Lifecycle for sub-awardees

The overall duration of the project shall not exceed 24 months or 30 June 2028 (whichever is earlier), including all research activities and final reporting. *No project timeline extensions are allowed

Up to MYR 400,000

Maximum Grant Per Project

The grant may cover direct costs related to the proposed project, including:

Personnel

(Excluding salaries for Core Team members and postgraduate stipends)

Equipments

Purchases must show strong justification and evaluated on a case-by-case basis

Research materials and consumables

Communications, knowledge translation, and dissemination activities

Fieldwork and travel

Training and capacity-building initiatives

Indirect costs* are capped at 13% of total direct costs.

Project administrative costs not directly related to the research project. Costs may include clerical, accounting, or secretarial support, general office expenses.

All budget proposals must include a clear, well-justified breakdown

The budget must demonstrate a reasonable and cost-effective use of funds.
Equipment costs must be strongly justified and aligned with project needs.
Project funds cannot be used for customs duties, import taxes, insurance premiums, or indemnities.

Application Process

Completed: Expression of Interest (EOI)
Submission of eligibility documents and required information through our EOI Form *Only shortlisted applicants will be invited to proceed to Stage 2 Submission Deadline 14 December 2025, 11:59 PM MYT
Stage 2: Full Proposal (by invitation only)
Submission of detailed research plan and budget Evaluation by external reviewing committee Final selection and grant awarding Submission Deadline : 29 March 2026 at 11:59 PM (MYT, GMT+8)
The overall duration of the project shall not exceed 24 months or 30 June 2028 (whichever is earlier), including all research activities and final reporting. *No project timeline extensions are allowed
Project Steps Timeline image